Energy expo aims to 'transform' jobs market

This Friday (13 October), a renewable energy jobs expo will kick off in Traralgon in Victoria’s Latrobe Valley.

The inaugural two-day Transform Expo is being organised by community environment organisations Friends of the Earth, Healthy Futures and Voices of the Valley in partnership with Bank Australia and the renewable energy industry.

“The energy transformation is happening right now in industrial regions across the country like Gippsland, and Transform Expo is an example of communities leading and creating our own future,” said Wendy Farmer, Gippsland organiser for Friends of the Earth.

Over the two days, community members will have the opportunity to meet representatives of major renewable energy companies with projects slated for Gippsland, as well as to learn about community-led projects. A variety of energy initiatives will be presented, including onshore wind and solar as well as offshore wind and energy storage.

The expo will also feature a series of workshops and panel sessions in which experts, workers and community leaders share their insights into Gippsland’s renewable energy future.

Participants are encouraged to join the ticketed opening night event featuring Victorian Energy Minister Lily D’Ambrosio alongside futurist and keynote speaker Steve Sammartino.

“We really want Transform to showcase the real-world opportunities, career paths and training opportunities in renewable energy for young people in our region as well as people already working in energy,” Farmer said.

The expo comes at an opportune time, with over $40 billion worth of new energy projects currently on the table for Gippsland.

For more information, visit https://www.melbournefoe.org.au/transform_expo.

Image caption: The Bald Hills Wind Farm in Gippsland, Victoria. Image credit: iStock.com/BeyondImages